Adaptor assembly for converting a case sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly

ABSTRACT

Various commercially available ammunition case sizing die assemblies consist of a die base and a subassembly which is threadedly installed in the die base. The subject adaptor assembly is configured to be installed in the sizing die assembly die base. As a result, a case sizing die assembly can be converted to a bullet seating die assembly by removing the subassembly of the case sizing die assembly and installing the subject adaptor assembly in its place. The subject adaptor assembly is made up of a rod and a lock ring. The rod has a knurled knob at one end, a cylindrical portion at the other and a threaded portion between. The lock ring threads onto the threaded portion and has a set screw in it to lock the lock ring in desired positions. The cylindrical end has a cavity in it in which the bullet is held during seating of the bullet.

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application Based on application Ser. No. 09/472,771 Which is to be Abandoned When the C.I.P. Application is Duly Filed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The subject invention is in the field of tooling and apparatus used in reloading firearm cartridges, particularly rifle cartridges. The term reloading covers resizing the case, replacing the firing cap, refilling the case with powder and seating a bullet in the open end of the case.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Reloading cartridges is done by hobbyists and frequent shooters, in preference to buying new cartridges, for a variety of reasons. Equipment for reloading cartridges includes a press, usually mountable on a workbench. The press has mechanism for moving a cartridge case holder toward and away from a die holder. In use, a die is mounted in the die holder and a case is mounted in the case holder. The direction of to and from motion is along the longitudinal axis of the case.

[0006] Generally, two kinds of die assemblies are used, alternately, one for resizing and shaping cases which have been deformed during a firing and a second for seating a new bullet in the open or nose end of the case. The relative motion between the die assemblies and casings is vertical so that powder introduced into the case will not spill. The resizing die assembly includes a pin which unseats a used firing cap to make room for installation of a new one.

[0007] The subject invention is intended for use with a cartridge case reforming die assembly as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,661, the inventor of which is the inventor of the subject invention. The subject invention is an adaptor assembly which converts the reforming (sizing) die assembly to a bullet seater die assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,078, issued to Richard J. Lee, discloses a sizing die assembly convertible to a bullet seating die bullet seating die assembly and vice versa. Three different parts and/or subassemblies are inserted into and/or attached and removed and/or detached in the processes of converting the sizing die assembly to a bullet.

[0008] Also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,875 discloses a sizing die assembly convertible to a bullet seating die assembly and vice versa. Again, single parts and subassemblies are installed and removed to effect the conversions.

[0009] Other related prior art patents are: US 2,571,272 US 2,741,148 US 3,134,293 US 3,175,456 US 4,248,132 US 4,336,739 US 4,343,222 US 4,385,456 US 4,637,291 US 4,862,567

[0010] The need to interchange a plurality of parts and subassemblies in order to effect conversions from a sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly and vice versa is considered to be unnecessarily complicated, expensive and time consuming and to involve unwanted chances for error. Accordingly, the primary objective of the subject invention is to provide a means for converting a sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly, the means involving a minimum of loose parts. A second objective is that there be minimal chances for error in the use of the subject invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The subject invention is an adaptor assembly converting a case sizing die assembly to a bullet seater die assembly and back, for use in reloading ammunition cartridges.

[0012] The primary embodiment of the invention is intended for use on a cartridge case sizing die assembly as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,561. The die assemblies are installed in a press which inserts cases into the die assemblies for case sizing and bullet seating. The sizing die assembly comprises a base and a subassembly installed in the base. The base is basically cylindrical having threads and knurling on its outer surface and a specially shaped bore, one end of which has internal threads. The subassembly is inserted into the base and has a threaded portion which engages the internal threads in the base to hold it in place. With the subassembly installed the die assembly can be used to size a spent case to the size, shape and length it had before being used.

[0013] To convert the die assembly to function as a bullet seater die assembly the sizing subassembly is removed and the subject adaptor assembly is installed with the threads on it engaging the internal threads in the base. Reconversion is done by reversing the procedure. The cases are not inserted as far into the base for bullet seating is for case sizing. A spacer may be used to limit the insertion distance for bullet seating, or the position of the seating die assembly in the press can be adjusted.

[0014] The adaptor assembly comprises a rod, externally threaded over the middle portion of its length, knurled at one end and having a smooth cylindrical portion at its other end. There is a specially shaped cavity in the cylindrical end and the bullet being seated is engaged in the cavity. There is a disc which threads onto the threaded portion of the rod. The rod is threaded into the base, cylindrical end first. The location of the disc on the rod determines how far the rod can be threaded into the base. A set screw in the disc is tightened to prevent inadvertent movement of the disc relative to the rod. The disc is larger in diameter and thicker than necessary to perform its function as a stop. The extra size and thickness provide a flywheel action which speeds up and simplifies installing and removing the adaptor assembly.

[0015] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates one type of press used in reloading cartridges.

[0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the type of cartridge to which the embodiment of the subject invention described herein is suited.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a prior art sizing die assembly per U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,661.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional, prior art bullet seating die assembly.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned illustration of the subject adaptor assembly.

[0021]FIG. 6 illustrates a spacer ring which may be used with the subject adaptor assembly.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned illustration of the subject adaptor assembly in use seating a bullet, the subject adaptor being installed in the die base shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The subject invention is an adaptor assembly for converting a case sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly, both for use in reloading cartridges.

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical press 10 used for such work. The die assemblies are generally cylindrical and have threads on at least a portion of the outer surface of the die bases, as indicated and explained below. The die assemblies, such as assembly 11, are installed in the upper portion 12 of the press by threading them into a threaded hole, using the threads to adjust the vertical location of the die assembly and then locking the assembly into position by tightening lock nut 13. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the type of cartridge 14 to which the disclosed embodiment of the subject invention is adapted. Cartridge 14 comprises case 15, bullet 16 and firing cap 17. For reloading purposes case 15, see FIG. 1, is placed in a fixture 18 at the upper end 19 of ram 20. Moving handle 21 in the direction of arrow A raises the ram to insert the case into the installed die assembly for processing as explained below.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a prior art sizing die assembly 22 per U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,661. It comprises a die base 23 and a subassembly 22 which is installed in the die base by threading it into threads 25 in end 26 of the die base. Cartridge case 27 has been resized and firing cap 28 has been removed. A sectional view of a portion 29 of fixture 18 is shown holding end 30 of the cartridge. Flange 31 of the cartridge fits into slot 32 in the fixture.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a prior art bullet seating die assembly 33 comprising die base 34, fitting 35 and knurled lock nut 36. In use, a resized case loaded with powder and with a bullet placed in its open end is inserted by the ram into base 37. The bullet engages cavity 38 in fitting 35 and, as the case is inserted the desired amount, the bullet is pressed into the case and locked in place, in some instances by crimping of the end of the case into groove 39 (FIG. 2) in the bullet.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned illustration of the subject adaptor assembly 40. It comprises rod 41, lock ring 42 and set screw 43. The rod has a knurled portion 44, a threaded portion 45 and a cylindrical portion 46. Shown in the partial section is cavity 47 in the cylindrical portion. A bullet rests in this cavity when the adaptor assembly is in use. Comparing FIGS. 3 and 7, which is a partially sectioned illustration of the subject adaptor assembly 40 in use in die base 48 (like base 21 in FIG. 3) with assembly 40 having parts numbered as in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the case 49 into which a bullet 50 has been seated does not extend into the die base as far as a case 27 in FIG. 3, being resized, does. This is so because in order to crimp end 51 of the case into groove 39 (FIG. 2) of the bullet, end 51 interacts with tapered surface 52 in die base 48. The distance of insertion of cases into the die bodies of die assemblies can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical location of the die assembly in the press, loosening lock nut 13, FIG. 1 rotating the die assembly in portion 12 of the press to move it vertically to the desired location and then retightening the lock nut.

[0028] As an alternative, FIG. 6 illustrates a spacer ring 53 which can be used to limit the distance a case can be inserted into a die assembly. The spacer ring is inserted between the top of the ram 54 and the bottom 55 of the die base, of a die assembly. Hole 56 in the spacer ring 53 (FIG. 6) has a diameter 10 to 30 thousandths of an inch larger than the diameter of the cartridges being processed. It is manually slipped onto each cartridge case after the case has been installed in fixture 18, FIG. 1. Alternately, the spacer can be U-shaped and detachably attached to the top of the ram or bottom of the die case, the bullet being installed and removed through the gap in the spacer.

[0029] In FIG. 7 threaded portion 45 of rod 41 is threaded into threads 57 of the die base. The rod is adjusted to its desired depth of penetration into the die base and lock ring 42 is tightened to retain the adjustment. Set screw 43 locks the lock ring rotationally on the rod to maintain the adjustment during removal and replacement of the adaptor assembly. Bullet 50, engaging cavity 47 in the adaptor assembly, has been seated in case 49. The reloading of cartridge 58 is complete except for removing it from the press.

[0030] It is considered to be understandable from this description that the subject invention meets its objectives. It provides a means of converting a case sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly involving a minimum of loose parts. Even with one loose part involved, the conversion is simple, relatively less time consuming and expensive and is virtually error free in the conversion process.

[0031] It is also considered to be understood that while one embodiment of the subject invention is disclosed herein, other embodiments and modifications of the one disclosed are possible within the scope of the invention which is limited only by the attached claims. In particular, modifications of the adaptor assembly to suit various sizes and shapes of cartridges is well within the scope of the invention. 

I claim
 1. An adaptor assembly for converting an ammunition case sizing die assembly to a bullet seating die assembly, said adaptor assembly comprising (1) a cylindrical rod having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, threads on a portion of said outer surface and a cavity in said second end, and (2) a disc having a threaded hole at its center, said disc being threaded onto said threads on said portion of said outer surface.
 2. The adaptor assembly of claim 1 in which said rod has a knurled portion on said outer surface at said first end.
 3. The adaptor assembly of claim 1 in which said rod has a cylindrical portion on said outer surface at said second end.
 4. The adaptor assembly of claim 3 in which said rod has a knurled portion on said outer surface at said first end.
 5. The adaptor assembly of claim 1 further comprising a set screw in said disc to lock and unlock said disc rotationally on said rod.
 6. The adaptor assembly of claim 2 further comprising a set screw in said disc to lock and unlock said disc rotationally on said rod.
 7. The adaptor assembly of claim 3 further comprising a set screw in said disc to lock and unlock said disc rotationally on said rod.
 8. The adaptor assembly of claim 4 further comprising a set screw in said disc to lock and unlock said disc rotationally on said rod.
 9. An adaptor assembly for use in conversion of a cartridge case sizing die assembly, to a bullet seating die assembly, said case sizing die assembly comprising a sizing die base which is essentially cylindrical and has a bore and said bore has internal threads at said first end, said sizing die assembly further comprising a subassembly having external threads which engage said internal threads when said subassembly is installed in said sizing die base, said adaptor assembly comprising a cylindrical rod and an internally threaded lock ring, said rod having a first rod end and a second rod end, an outer surface, a knurled knob at said first end, a cavity in said second end and having external threads on said outer surface, said lock ring being threaded onto said external threads on said rod, said conversion being effected by removing said subassembly from said sizing die base and installing said adaptor assembly in said sizing die base, engaging said external threads and said internal threads and locking said adaptor assembly in place by tightening said lock ring against said first end. 